2017 MINI John Cooper Works Clubman All4 – Bottom Line Review

Imagine a British race car designer, who in the aftermath of World War II, famously stuck a British motorcycle engine at the back of an open wheel Formula 3 car formed by melding the two front ends of a FIAT Topolino back to back.

In the early 1960s, with Group 2 rally racing emerging as the working man’s autosport, Cooper began a ten year collaboration with transverse engine front drive pioneer at British Motor Corporation, Sir Alec Issigonis.

The result: a Group 2 rally variant of the popular Mk. III Morris Mini Minor and homologated street versions known as Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S. First stroked then bored out engines, front disc brakes and close ratio transmissions were Mini Cooper hallmarks.

As British Leyland took ownership over Morris Cars, a Clubman model was introduced. A popular variant was a 2-door shooting brake Estate with split swing door tailgate. But John Cooper never laid his magic on the Clubman. That is until his son, Michael, did in 2008, the year that his John Cooper Works tuning firm was absorbed by BMW’s MINI brand.

The F54 Mk. 3 MINI Clubman was revamped in 2016. The longest of the current MINI stable, in the guise of an estate wagon makes a beguiling canvas for the full John Cooper Works treatment.

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An automotive enthusiast since an orange toy VW Beetle ended up in his playpen and following him everywhere, George Straton has been chief editor at ChicagoNow.com/Drive-He-Said automotive lifestyle blog since 2010. In 2017 George established Roadblazing.com, dedicated to accurate and relevant automotive reviews, news and road trip stories. George is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Phoenix Automotive Press Association. George also happens to be an attorney and Loyola University of Chicago Ramblers fan.